Okita a class act in Dundalk opener

Okita Soushi quickened away in fine style to land the odds in the opening two-mile conditions race at Dundalk this afternoon.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained son of Galileo went to post an 8/11 shot and tracked front-runner Jerandme throughout the race.

Mikey Sheehy asked his mount to tackle the leader passing the two pole and he ran around slightly when taking a narrow lead a furlong-and-a-half out.

Sheehy straightened his mount up inside the final furlong and he pulled nicely clear to record a four-length win over Firstman who stayed on for the runner-up spot.

The winner was taking a drop in class on his return to action having been well held in the Irish Cesarewitch and Ebor on his previous two outings.

Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: "The idea was to get a run into him, he's in at Saudi in a few weeks' time. He hasn't been accepted yet, but after this there is a possibility that he could go there.

"It was just nice to go and get his head in front again. He had a few races last year where he was a little bit unlucky.

"He had to win it on ratings today and it was nice for him to go and do it. He got a lovely lead into it and Mikey took it up a fair way out, but he didn't want it to turn into a real sprint.

"Mikey said when he got to the front he was only doing enough. We used to hold him up a lot before - he used to be a bit keen, but he relaxes beautifully now.

"He has galloped to the line and he has had a nice blow there."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)